Shelton 3, Xavier 1


Sophomore pitcher Ryan Zahornasky led the Gaels with a complete-game victory over the Xavier Falcons Friday, 3 – 1.

Zahornasky was dominant and, at one point, had a no-hit bid heading into the sixth inning.

“I didn’t realize that I had the no hitter until after I gave up the hit,” said Zahornasky. ​“I threw a no hitter in American Legion ball as a freshman, but today, all of my concentration was on getting our team the win.”

The game was tied 1 – 1 in the bottom of the sixth inning with the Gaels at bat. 

Catcher Ryan Daiss worked a walk and was sacrificed to second by Carl Cristino. The Falcons chose to intentionally walk Robert O’Leary in hopes of inducing the Gaels’ no. hitter, Dan Guerrera into an inning-ending double play.

“What they didn’t know was our no. 9 hitter is batting .380.” Shelton coach Scott Gura said.

Guerrera drilled a single up the middle and scored pinch runner Eric Ercolino with what would be the winning run. 

“It was a great feeling. Definitely the best experience I’ve had as a part of the Gaels baseball team,” Guerrera said.

Down by two runs, the Falcons threatened in their half of the final inning with two on and infielder, Tom Lanzoni stepping to the plate. 

Lanzoni ripped a liner that looked like a sure single before being gloved by a diving Dan St. George, who would flip to second baseman Eric Christensen for the beginning of a game-ending double play.

“St. George flashed some real leather out there today,” Gura said.

“I didn’t think Ryan could throw any better than what he had against Notre Dame last week, but he did today,” Gura said.

Keep local reporting alive. Donate.ValleyIndy.org